These Disturbing Details About the Morgan Freeman Sexual Harassment Allegations Will Shock You

CNN has released a shocking report in which multiple women accuse actor Morgan Freeman of sexual harassment. At least 16 people have alleged that Freeman has frequently made women uncomfortable with inappropriate comments and unwanted touching on the set of his movies, on press tours, and at his production company.

Here’s a look at the shocking details about the Freeman allegations and the actor’s response (page 8).

1. A PA says he tried to lift up her skirt

The woman reveals the various ways in which he allegedly touched her inappropriately.

A production assistant who worked on the film Going in Style told CNN that Freeman sexually harassed her almost on a daily basis for months.

She says that this included inappropriate comments about her appearance, but it also included unwanted touching. Several times, she says Freeman rested his hands on her or rubbed her back. She also says he “kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear.”

Next: Other allegations of Freeman’s on-set behavior

2. Several other women say Freeman harassed them on set

Other women began to speak out against the actor. | Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

At least two other women on another set spoke up.

In addition, a senior member of the production crew of the film Now You See Me says that Freeman frequently sexually harassed her and her female assistant, making unwanted comments about their bodies. She says it got to the point where they both knew not to wear any revealing or fitted clothing around him.

This was apparently a common experience among women who worked with Freeman. A total of four women told CNN that they worked with Freeman in a production capacity and that he repeatedly made women uncomfortable during shooting. This included two cases of unwanted touching.

It was on the press tour for this 2017 film that he was said to have made these comments. | Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Freeman’s shocking comments to a CNN reporter sparked this investigation

Three entertainment reporters say that Freeman made inappropriate comments to them on press tours. One of them is the co-author of the CNN article, Chloe Melas.

Melas interviewed Freeman for the movie Going in Style, and at the time, she was six months pregnant. She says that Freeman told her “I wish I was there” and “you are ripe.” She also says that when she shook his hand, he grabbed her and wouldn’t let go while looking her up and down.

It was this experience that prompted the reporter to ask around about whether other women had experienced similar things. It turned out, several other reporters did, with one saying that when she stood up after an interview with Freeman and pulled her dress down, Freeman said, “Oh, don’t pull it down now.”

Next: A large number of people are accusing Freeman of this behavior

4. Over 12 people supported he allegations

The allegations began to mount. | Mark Davis / Getty Images

Over a dozen people have backed up these claims

The CNN investigation about Freeman’s behavior is quite well sourced. In total, eight women said that Freeman sexually harassed them or was inappropriate in some way. In addition, CNN spoke to another eight people who said that they witnessed Freeman sexually harassing women.

These people all point to the fact that Freeman was known to make vulgar and sexual comments about women on the set of his movies; one PA says that as a result, she would come home every day in tears.

Next: Freeman’s behavior was apparently an open secret

5. It was known Freeman behaved like this

He was known within the industry to act like this. | Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Freeman had a reputation for this behavior

One of the most damning parts of this CNN report is that Melas reached out to dozens of people who have worked with Freeman, asking them if they have ever worked with an actor who behaved inappropriately on set. She did not even mention Freeman’s name at first.

However, several of these people immediately knew that the reporter was talking about Freeman. This suggests that he has earned a reputation around town for this inappropriate behavior.

Several of these people were not ultimately interviewed for this article, so we can add them on to the 16 who went on the record.

Next: More women say Freeman harassed them in this environment

6. More women at his production company say he sexually harassed them

The women of Revelations spoke out against him. | Kevin Winter/Getty Images

These women at his company had a lot to say about his behavior.

Six women who have worked for Revelations Entertainment, Freeman’s production company, say that he created a toxic work environment and sexually harassed numerous employees.

One woman who was a manager at Revelations said that Freeman would often come by her desk just to stare at her breasts. Another woman said that when she met Freeman for the first time, he looked her up and down and asked her, “How do you feel about sexual harassment?” A male employee also described Freeman as a “creepy uncle” and said he once saw him walk up to an intern and start massaging her.

Revelations reportedly had no formal human resources department.

Next: The bizarre behavior Freeman allegedly exhibited at his birthday party

7. Freeman’s bizarre birthday party

His odd and misogynistic behavior was noted. | Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Turner

Employees felt uncomfortable after a strange birthday party experience

For his 79th birthday, Revelations Entertainment threw Freeman a party, and employees say the experience was bizarre. Apparently, he had everyone at the party stand in a circle, and he proceeded to walk up to the women, stand within an inch of their face, look them up and down, and then move on to the next person.

“It was really weird and he did it to every woman but of course he didn’t do it to any of the men,” an employee said. “He didn’t speak to any of the men.”

A writer who was at that party said that as soon as the #MeToo movement started, everyone at Revelations joked that Freeman would be the next person accused.

Next: Freeman responds to the allegations

8. Freeman’s response

He’s denying some of the allegations. | Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Freeman is hitting back against CNN’s story

Freeman first responded to the allegations by saying, “I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected — that was never my intent.”

He later released another statement saying that he never assaulted anyone. He also said, “It is not right to equate horrific incidents of sexual assault with misplaced compliments or humor.”